"Mike Brown testified today, under oath, that I did not include
Orleans,
Jefferson and Plaquemines parishes in my original disaster
declaration request
sent to the President on August 28. In fact, that request did
include 14
parishes in southeast Louisiana, including Orleans, Jefferson and
Plaquemines.

"Mr. Brown further suggested that I did not order an evacuation of
New Orleans
until Sunday, Aug. 28. In fact, the evacuation was ordered on
the morning of
Saturday, August 27. Within 48 hours, 1.3 million citizens -
representing more
than 90 percent of the region -- were safely evacuated in the
state's
extraordinarily effective evacuation plan that included early use of
contraflow
on the interstate system.

"Such falsehoods and misleading statements, made under oath before
Congress,
are shocking. It clearly demonstrates the appalling degree to which
Mr. Brown
is either out of touch with the truth or reality.

"Today's hearing only supports the need for a thorough, non-partisan
investigation of this event."